Anastrozole and osteopenia

@tom ... Hi Molly,  That's a shame.  Did you have bone density tests before you started the Anastrozole?  Then the more recent tests would show how quickly your bone density has reduced?   (Roughly) what age are you?  Our bone density lessens as we age too ... so it can be a double whammy, with the AIs as well as natural aging  :(   

Sadly, it is fairly common for the bones to become less dense & more brittle with AIs - leading to fractures.  (I fractured a vertebrae last year, but it was a nasty backwards fall so I can't really blame Anastrozole for that one :( )   
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8685978/

I've been on Anastrozole for 5 years now and last time I was checked a couple of years ago, my bones were 'OK' .... I see my Onc again later this month & will ask for all the bone tests to be done again .... as I am finishing it next year, anyway, tho she has said I 'can' stop now if I like.   If my tests come back as 'ok' I'll probably stay on it til this time next year ...

take care & all the best.   I've been advised to take Caltrate tablets to help strengthen the bones.

Hi @tom Ive been on AI for nearly 7 years. Started Ibrance in 2020?? ( I think) I was mildly osteopenia before I started. My last bone density showed I’m at the borderline for osteoporosis. Its a bummer of a side effect. I’m now taking Calcium with D3. In hopes to slow it down and to avoid the bone strengthening injection. I would have gotten osteoporosis eventually this just sped it up. All the extra crap I take for side effects magnesium for cramps. Vit C as Im prone to colds. Antihistamine for the itch. And nexium for reflux. They are all working just feel like i rattle. 

Thankyou for replies ladies , my first bone scan was ok now second one not .
I am 64 I’m really unsure if I should stop the hormone blocker it was my breast surgeon that said I could stop if I wanted ,

Your breast surgeon isn't an Oncologist, @tom ,..... I'd ask your Onc.   Ask them, if you were THEIR mother/sister/partner - would they recommend you stopping.  If they advise you DON'T stop, ask what you can do to lessen the chance of bone fractures xx

take care & all the best

Thankyou Arpie 😊

@tom Hello Molly,
I have been on anastrazole for 7 years, luckily for me with little side effects, and my bone density scans show I am steady but I am at an ostopenia level - have been all along. I have been taking vitamin D tablets and alendronate.  "Alendronate is in a class of medications called bisphosphonates. It works by preventing bone breakdown and increasing bone density (thickness)." (from the MedlinePlus website)

from jennyss in Western NSW

Thankyou Jenny’s will discuss with my gp
cheers Molly 😊